Electric truck



Feb. 19, 1935. w STUEBING, JR 7 1,992,150

ELECTRIC TRUCK Filed Aug. 19, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 NVENTOR 4 d/wwdh a7Feb. 19, 1935. w. STU-EBING, JR

ELECTRIC TRUCK Filed Aug. 19, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I NVENTOR ATTORNEYSa L WW alga ' Feb 19, 1935.

W. STUEBING, JR

ELECTRIC TRUCK Filed Aug. 19, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet :s'

TORNEYS Feb. 19, 1935. w STUEBlNG, 4 1,992,150

ELECTRIC TRUCK Filed Aug. 19, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I NVENTOR w \Fa B 7ATTORNFfYS vention.

Patented Feb. 19, 1935 PAT NT OFFICE" ELECTRIC TRUCK William Stuebing,Jr., CincinnatL'Ohio, assignor to The Yale-.8; Towne ManufacturingCompany, Stamford, Conn necticut I Application August 19, 20 Claims.

' The invention relates to trucks that have a frame adapted to be raisedor lowered in order that the truck may assume a loador deposit it. Thepresent invention provides a practical and efficient truck which iseconomicalin the use of electric power, and very easy'to operate.

One object of the present invention is to permit the lowering of thelifting, frame in apparatus of this general type without energizing theelectric motor or other prime mover. Economy in the use of power is,important in trucks. of this character, not onlyon account of .the cost.of the power, but also because of the saving of time involved inchanging batteries. Another object of the invention is to stop thelifting motor automatically once the load has been raised.

It is still another object of the invention to provide holding mechanismto,hold the frame at its uppermost position independently of theposition or condition of the lifting motor. The device for holdingthe-frame in its upper position should operate automatically andtheprovision of a device of this character is another object of theinvention.

In order that the operation of the vehicle may be a very simple matter asingle actuation ofa control should be all that is a needed to eitherraise or lower the frame. The attainment of the above is thereforeanother object of the in- Still another object of theinvention residesin the use of the weightof the frame, or of the load itself or of bo-thto run the motor back to starting position, thus saving power.

Another object of the invention is greatly to reduce the possibility ofbreakage of gears or other parts of the frame moving mechanism. Liftingtrucks of the type herein described are subject to very rough handling,and breakage of gears or other parts has not been uncommon. Otherobjects of the invention will be in part obvious or in part pointed outhereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combination of elements, and arrangements of partsas .will beexemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described, and the scopeof the application of which will be indicated in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is shown a preferred form ofvarious possible embodiments of my invention:

Fig. l is a front elevation of a truck constructed in accordance withthe invention.

Figs. 2 and 3 are respectively elevations of the left and the right handsides of the truck, the

., a corporation of Con- 1930 ,"Seri al No. 476,325

frame being shown in its lowest position in Fig/ 2, and in its uppermostposition in Fig. 3.

. Fig. 4 is a view partly-in plan and partly in section'vof the truck,the section being taken along the line 4--4 of Fig. 2.

Referring to Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the frame of the vehicle comprises apair, of longitudinal members 1, l which are held in spaced relation bya transverse frame member 2 and a rear wheel supporting member 3. At thefront of the vehicle the members ,1, 1 are suitably connected to a differential housing 4, which contains the usual differential gearing andaxle shafts for the front wheels 5, 5. The front wheels 5, 5 may beconnected by universal joints, not shown, to the axle v shaftsaforesaid, the wheeljournals being mounted on vertical pivots v6, 6 inorder that the vehicle maybe steered- As this mechanism forms per se nopart of mypresent invention, it need not be furtherv described herein,particularly as one way -of accomplishing the'foregoing is fullydisclosed in U. S. .Letters Patent No. 1,343,358 granted June15, 1920,to George R. Fairchilds.

" Referring -to Fig. 4, the axles for the rear wheels 7,! are journaledin supports 1a, 7a which likewiseare mounted upon vertical pivots 8, 8in or- .der that steering may be effected by the rear wheels as wellasthe front wheels. The front wheel supporting members 9,- 9 providerearwardly extending arms 10, lowhich are connected by a tie rod 11 inorder that the front wheels may move in unison. Referring to the upperleft hand corner of Figs. 1 and 2, said wheels are controlled ,byasteering arm'12,carried on the front of the vehiclesthe steering arm isattached to the upper end of a vertical 'shaft l3, that is suitablysupported by brackets -15, 15, the bottom ofthe 'shaft having-fastenedto it an arm 16 that is connected by means of a link 17 to a forwardlyprojecting arm 18 fastened to or formed integrally with theleft handmember 9.

In similar fashion, as best shown in Fig. 4, the supporting members 7a,M for the rear wheels 7, 'Iare connected by a tie rod 19 which connectsarms 20, 20 fastened to or integrally formed with said members so that.the rear wheels will move 'in unison. The rear wheels '7, 7 are adaptedto .be directed; by the steering arm 12 and to that end a long link 21(Fig.4) connects an arm 22 of one of the members 7a to a bell cranklever 23 7 which is pivotally mounted at 24 to the machine frame, theother free end of said bell crank lever being connected by means of alink 25 to the tie rod 11. 7

Referring now to the central portion of Figs.

2 and 3, a housing 26 for the lifting frame gearing is secured in anysuitable manner to one of the longitudinal truck frame members 1, and abattery bed 27 is likewise supported by the longitudinal members 1, 1;as herein disclosed the supporting media comprise a strut 28 fastened tothe "casing 26, 'a. strut 29 extending between said bed and alongitudinal member 1, and a strut 30 extending between the differentialhousing 3 and the battery bed. The box for the battery is indicated at31, and the batteryisreadily removable therefrom for chargingpur'p'o'ses.

Located beneath the forward end of the :battery box 31 is a motor 32which 'drivesthewehicle and which is energized "by the battery 31, thedriving pinion of the motor being connected to gearing, not shown,enclosed in a oasing33 attached to the differential housing 4. The finalgear of this gear train meshes with the ring gear of the differentialgearing in the housing 4.

"The operator 'control'sthe vehicle by means 'of a hand lever Mandafootp'edal 35, both of which *operate electrical control mechanismhoused in "abontroller box 36 that is'corivenientlyattached to the frontof the battery b'ox'31. The arrangenfent of these twocontrollin'g'devices is such'that the foot pedal is and a spring 'is"provided toraise 's-aid *pedal when the operator is n'ot"'actu'allystepping upon it. "Secured to the "battery box 31 are a pair "of channelmembers '37, ii-and supported by means of these'memb'ers is'aplatformf3'8 'for the operator to "stand "upon,

"said platform being "secured directly 'to'a rod 39 that extends betweenthe members.

Trucks of the type "herein disclosed 'are used "to move relative-1yheavy loads in warehouses,

stations, or similar places where efficiency of oporation and "economyof time are prime require- --ments. The loadis "placed 'upon a skid orthe like having supports spaced to permit the truck top'ass'betweenthem. 'Thebo'ttom of this sk'id'is just above "thelevel'o'fthe truck platform when -"the latter *is in its lowermostposition. When the frame of the truck is raised, theskid supports arelifted from the floorbr ground; For speed 'of =-operat ion and torelieve the operatbr from heavy work it is desirable to raise thelifting frame by electric power, "but the lowering "of it *byelectricpower serves no useful pur ose and'is a waste of energy.

Referring to Figs. 2, 3 and 4, a lifting frame 4'0 ispreferablyc'onnected to the frame of the vhicle by means of a parallellinkage mechanism. As best shown at the right hand side of FigsJ2 and"4,a pair 'o'f links 41, 41 are pivotally connected at42,=42 to therear'of said frame, and 8,1243, "43 to the member 3. Another pair oflinks 44, 44 are :connected to the fraihe 'atthef 'ront ene "thereof,and are pivotally connected at 45,

45 to the frame members'l, 1. a The connection between the links '44 andthe lifting frame'40 is preferably made by means of ac'ross rod'4'6'which means of a support '49. The motor 48 may of "course energizedby the same battery that provides tractive power for the vehicle;attached to the front of the battery box 31 is a controller box 50 forthe motor 48, anda controlling lever pivotallymomrted 't-h ere on.

handle 51 cannot be raised until the latch 54 is depressed. Springs, notshown, are provided both to urgethe latch 54 upwardly into latchingposition, and'tor'aise'thecontroller handle 51. When the said'controllerhandle is raised, the circuit "-to the-lifting motor 48 is opened, andwhen the controller is lUwered to the position shown in Fig.

2, said circuit isclosed, and the motor 48 is energized. It will bereadily apparent that when the operator moves the handle 51 downwardly,

the latch 54 will snap into position engaging the latch 53"andholding'thecontroller handle in the ipbs'ition in which the motor '48 isenergized until "suchtim'eas "the latch "54 is depressed either by "theoperator, or in 'a manner that will be hereinafterde's'cribed. It willbe further apparentthat' whentheboritrollerhandle 51 is thus released,it will move upwardly under the influence of the spring, not shown, thusde energizing the motor48. I a a V Stillr'eferring to Fig. 2, the'shaft56 0f the motor ,"48 has fastened to it a 'pinion"gear 57 which meshesfwitha "large "gear 58 that is fastened to afs'haft 59'that is suitablyjournalled in the 61 that is fastened to 'a-shaft-62 which-is also"journalled in -the'c'asin'g 26. It will 'beapparent that the-'foregoing constitutes reduction gearing W mien-'60 is fastened to "theshaft 59,fand this piiiionEGO meshes with a second large gear o drivethe shaft 62 at a very slow speed mm; I,

pared with that of the motor shaft '56. 7

Referring how*particularly to Figs. 3 and 4, a. u located-on the outsideof thereduction gear casing 26 is fastened to the shaft 62 andconsequently revolves with it. This crank arm 63 has a crank pin "6'4which may be formed integrally with it. a 4

best'sh ovi n in the-'centralpart of Fig. '4, the transverse shaft 46carries an arm '65 which is In order to give more rigidity to the shaft46, and in order to prevent the arm 65 -f-ro'm;moving in any othermanner than-an'guIarlyabout the axis of shaft 46, anadditio'nal bracket'66 is provided for the support of shaft 46, said bracket being fastenedto the fron tof the platform 40 as are the brackets 47,

l7, and said bracket having a slot for the reception "of the arm 65. Atthe end of'the arm 65 is a hook 6"? which' is adapted to fit over thepin 64in amazrnerbes't illustrat'ed'by'l ig -3. The

crank 63 revolves in a counter-clockwise direction, =Fig.' 2,- min 'aeloekwisedirection, Fig. '3, and as the arm-65 'at'all'tim'es rides uponthe pin 64. it is apparent that the pin 64 will engage the 'hdo'kfiianddraw-said hook and the arm 65 with it. Such action will draw the shaft46170 the left, mg. *2, and tn-ermine 40 win therefore rideupwardlyiipon the links '41 and 44.

In order to place as little stress as possible upon the inotor 4'8 andthe gearing in the casing v'i'd-e latching means 'to hold the platform40 in its raised-position. Pivotall'y mounted about onethird of the wayup on the strut 29, and as best shown-m Fig. 2, is abell crank mm 68having upper end of the bellcrank lever 68.

1,992,150 a hook portion 69 at one end. The hook portion 69 willautomatically fall into place behind the shaft 46 when the latter israised, as the Weight of the bell crank 68 urges it in a clockwisedirection, Fig. 2. a The bell crank lever is prevent-- ed from movingbelow the position in which it is shown in Fig. 2 by means of a suitablestop 71. The front portion of the book 69 is so shaped that the shaft 46has a lifting action upon it, in order to lift the hook when they comeinto engagement. Thus the platform 40 will be automatically held in itsuppermost position whenever it is raised by the motor 48 and themechanism described' In order to save electric current and to relievethe operator from the necessity'of stopping the platform lifting motor48, automatic mechanism is provided for that purpose; as shown in Figs.1 and 2, the controlling lever latch '54 is connected bymeans of a rod'72 with a bell crank lever 73 that is pivotally mounted at 74 (see Fig.

-ZY-underneath the frontend of the battery bed 27; the other end of saidbell crank lever '13 is connected by means of a rod 75 to a detent '76pivotally connected at '77 to the transverse frame member 2. The upperend of the detent 76 is in the path of movement of the wrist pin 64 ofthe crank 63, and consequently when'saidpin engages said detent, thelatter will be moved and the latch 54 will be drawn downwardly by reasonof the connections described. This will percrank pin 64, maintainsengagement with it and follows it down. It should be observed thatduring this time the motor is running without any load and hence isusing little current.

Referring to the left hand portion of Fig. 2, extending horizontallybetween the channel members 37 is a shaft 80 and said shaft has attachedto it a treadle 81 and also an arm 82. The arm 82 is connected by meansof a rod 83 to the Downward movement of the treadle 31 raises the hook69, and this releases the shaft 45 and the platform 40. a

With the parts in the position shown inFig. 3, it is clear that the loadis taken entirely upon the links 41 and 44, and that the frame 40 willnot start downwardly even though released, unless jarred in some way orotherwise given a slight movement to the left. Therefore, resilientmeans are provided to urge the frame to the left, Fig. 3, in order tostart it upon its downward movement when the hook 69 is disengaged asalready described.

As best shown in Figs. 3 and 4, mounted on the shaft 46 is a link 84which connects the shaft 46 with one end of a lever 85 that ispivotallymounted at 86 on the transverse member 2. The lever 85 has anarm 87 which is connected at 88 to a cylinder 89 of a check device. Arod 90 projects from the other end of said check device and is pivotallyfastened at 91 to a bracket 92 depending from the battery bed 27. Thischeck device is not per se part of. the present invention, and may be ofany suitable construction, such for example as that disclosed in U. S.Letters Patent #1279481 granted September 17, 1918 to Wm. R.Stuebing-Jr. The check device of this patent has a spring which tendsto'draw the rod 90 into the cylinder 89, and therefore, since in thisillustrative embodiment of the invention the rod 90 is shown as fastenedto a stationary portion of the vehicle, saidspring tends to raise thecylinder 89, and such action urges the platform 40 to the left as willbe readily seen from Fig. 3. Consequently when the treadle 81 isdepressed, and the hook 69 israised, the platform 40 will be urged tothe left by the aforesaid spring, and after the links 41 and 44 haveleft the vertical position, the platform will fall of its own weight,being restrained from violent movement, however, by the check device ofthe abovepatent.

The mode of operation of the frame lifting mechanism and associatedparts has already been indicated'in the foregoing description, but willbe briefly reviewed for a clear understanding of the invention. Assumingthat the lifting frame is in the position shown in Fig. 2, which is itslowermost position, the operator, when he desires to raise it, willdepress the controller lever 51 thus energizing the motor 48, it beingremembered that by means of the latches 53, 54, the motor energizingcircuit is maintained. The crank 63 and crank pin 64 will thereuponcommence to rotatein a counterclockwise direction, Fig. 2, and the pin64 will engage the hook 67 and thus start the frame .40 on its upwardmovement. When the pin 64 has moved substantially degrees, the partswill be in the position shown in Fig. 3,

the frame 40 being fully lifted, with the load supported directly uponthe links 41 and 44, and with the book 69 engaging the shaft 46 to holdsaid in the position of Fig. 3 against the tendency of the spring in thecheck device 89 to urge it to the left. The hook 69 drops automaticallyinto the position shown in Fig. 3, as already described.

The crank 63 and crank pin 64 keep on turning, the motor 48 beingrelieved of load, however; said crank pin finally engages the detent 76and stops the motor. This terminates that portion of the operating cycleinvolved in raising the frame.i I

When the operator desires to lower the lifting frame, he steps upon thetreadle 81, and thus raises the hook 69, and the spring in the checkdevice 89 urges the frame 40 to the left. Thereafter, said framedescends by reason of its own weight and that of whatever load itsupports, if any. The check devices in the cylinder 89 described in thepatent to Stuebing referred to prevent rapid downward movement of theframe but do not greatly resist slow movement thereof.

Therefore, when the hook 6'7 engages the pin 64, which had been stoppedsubstantially at the detent '76, said hook draws said pin to turn thecrank 63 in a counterclockwise direction, Fig. 2,

and the weight of the frame is sufficient to revolve the moving part ofthe motor 48 and the various interposed gearing in the casing 26, re-

storing the parts to the position shown in Fig. 2. Such movement of theoperating mechanism to initial position takes place without the use ofany electric power.

It will be obvious that instead of using a spring in the i check device89 to impart the initial downward movement to the frame 40, and insteadof using any spring at all, gravity might be used, in which case thelinks 41 and 44 would -not be quite vertical at the uppermost positionof the frame.

It will be seen that if the vehicle collides with something, the frame40 receiving the shock, this simply momentarily urges the hook 6'7 awayfrom the pin 64, and cannot in any manner injure the gearing in thecasing 26 or the motor 48. It will be seen further that the apparatus issimple and practical, and can be operated by unskilled labor,

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and asmany changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is tobe understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth, or shown in theaccompanying drawings, is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a truck, a frame, a mounting for said frame on the truckpermitting it to be raised and lowered, power means to raisethe frame,latch means independent of said power means adapted to hold it in raisedposition, and means of connection between said power means and frame soinherently arranged that the continuous operation of said power meanswill lift said platform only a pre-determined amount, said means ofconnection being constructed so that the power means cease lifting saidframe through positional adjustment of said means of connection causedby continued operation of the power means.

2. In a truck, a frame, a mounting for said frame on the truckpermitting it to be raised and lowered, power means to raise the frame,latch means to hold it in raised position, and a disengageableconnection between the power means and the frame to permit the frame tobe lowered by disengaging the latch.

3. In a truck, a frame, a mounting for said fram'e'on the truckpermitting it to be raised and lowered, power means to raise the frame,and a disengageable crank and hook connection between the power meansand the frame to raise the latter.

4. In a truck, a frame, a mounting for said frame on the truckpermitting it to be raised and lowered, power means to raise the frame,a disengageable crank and hook connection between the power means andthe frame to raise the latter, and a latch to hold the frame in raisedposition.

5. In a truck, a frame, a mounting for said frame on the truckpermitting it to be raised and lowered, power means to raise the frame,means forming a connection that is adapted to transmit a pull but not athrust between the power means and the frame and is operable to submitsaid pull only until said frame has reached a predetermined elevatedposition regardless of the continuance of operation of said power means,said means of connection being constructed so that the power means ceaselifting said frame through positional adjustment of said means ofconnection caused by continued operation of the power means.

6. In a truck, a frame, a mounting for said frame on the truckpermitting it to be raised and lowered, an arm connected to the frame, ahook on the end of the arm, and a crank adapted to engage the hook toraise the frame 7. In apparatus as claimed in claim 6, the combinationwith the parts therein specified, of

means to hold the frame at its upper position.

8. In apparatus as claimed in claim 6, the combination with the partstherein specified, of

means to stop the crank after the frame is raised 9. In apparatus asclaimed in claim 6, the combination with the parts therein specified. ofmeans to hold the frame at its upper position,

and means to stop the crank after the frame is. 5

raised.

10. In a truck, a frame, a mounting for said frame on the truckpermitting it to be raised and lowered, a motor to raise the frame,connections between said motor and said frame having substantially adead center position when the frame is raised, and means to position theparts beyond the aforesaid dead center position while maintaining theframe raised, in order that the weight of the frame may turn the motorwhen said frame is released.

11. In a truck, a frame, a. mounting for said frame on the truckpermitting it to be raised and lowered, power means to raise said frame,means connecting said power means to said frame whereby operation ofsaid power means will raise said frame to a predetermined position whilepermitting movement of said connecting means and power means beyond saidpredetermined position without further actuation of said frame, said 26means of connection being constructed so that the power means ceaselifting said frame through positional adjustment of said means ofconnection caused by the continued operation of the power means, andmeans for maintaining said M frame in its elevated positionindependently of said power means.

12. In a truck, a frame, a mounting for said frame on the truckpermitting it to be raised and lowered, means effective to hold theframe at 5 a predetermined elevated position when it has been elevatedto that position, power and connecting means for elevating the frame tosaid predetermined position, said connecting means permittingover-running of said power means 40 after the frame has been raised andsecuredin its elevated position, and means whereby the frame whenreleased will operate through gravity to actuate the power andconnecting means to their initial pro-lifting position. #5

13. In a truck, a frame, a mounting for said frame on the truckpermitting it to be raised and lowered, detent means effective to holdthe frame at a predetermined elevated position, an electric motor havingmeans of connection for elevating '00 said frame, said means permittingover-running of said motor relatively to said frame after the frame hasbeen raised and secured in said predetermined position, said means ofconnection being arranged for retractive movement with said motor :66 toinitial position by said frame when it is released from its elevatedposition for downward gravitational movement.

14. In a truck, a frame, a mounting for said frame on the truckpermitting it to be raisedand lowered, power means to raise said frame,mechanical means of connection between said power means and frame soinherently arranged that continuous uninterrupted operation ofsaid'powei' means will elevate said frame only a pro-determined amount,said means of connection being constructed so that the power meansbecome disconnected from and cease lifting said frame through positionaladjustment of said means of connection caused by the continued operationof :70

the power means.

15. In a truck, a frame, a mounting for said frame on the truckpermitting it to be raised and lowered, power means to raise said frame,mechanical means of connection between said power means and frame soinherently arranged that continuous uninterrupted operation of saidpower means will elevate said frame only a pro-determined amount, saidmeans of connection being constructed so that the power means become disconnected from and cease lifting said frame through positionaladjustment of said means of connection caused by the continued operationof the power means and means for shutting off said power upon completedmovement of said frame.

16, In a truck, a frame, a mounting for said frame on the truckpermitting it to be raised and lowered, power means to elevatesaidframe, means of connection between said power means and frame forelevating said frame, said means being constructed so that continuousoperation of said power means will raise said frame to an elevatedposition, the continued movement of said power means being in itselfeffective to leave said platform in its elevated position while saidpower means continue operation.

17. In a truck, a frame, a mounting for said frame on the truckpermitting it to be raised and lowered, power means to elevate saidframe, means of connection between said power means and frame forelevating said frame, said means being constructed so that continuousoperation of said power means will raise said frame to an elevatedposition, the continued movement of said power means being in itselfeffective to leave said platform in its elevated position while. saidpower means continue operation, and switch mechanism for said powermeans operated by the continued operation of said power means.

18. In a. truck, a frame, a mounting for said frame on the truckpermitting it to be raised and lowered, detent means efiective to holdthe frame a predetermined elevated position, said frame being movabledownwardly through gravitation,

an electric motor having means of connection for elevating said frame,said means of connection being arranged for retractive movement withsaid motor to initial position by said frame when said frame is releasedfrom its elevated position for downward gravitational movement.

19. In a truck, an elevating frame, a mounting for said frame on thetruck whereby it maybe raised and lowered, an electric motor havingmeans of connection for elevating said frame, said means of connectionbeing inherently ineffective to lift said frame more than to apredetermined position regardless of the continued operation of saidpower means, detent means for holding said frame in elevated positionand for releasing it for gravitational downward movement, and meanswhereby the connection between said frame and power means isreestablished by said downward gravitational movement of the frame.

20. In a truck, a frame, a mounting for said frame on the truck wherebyit may be raised and lowered, an electric motor having means ofconnection for elevating said frame, said means of connection beinginherently ineffective to lift said frame more than to a predeterminedposition regardless of the continued operation of said power means, andmeans of connection between said power means and'frame so inherentlyarranged that continuo-us uninterrupted operation of said power meanswill elevate said frame only a pre-determined amount, detent means forholding said frame in elevated position and for releasing it forgravitational downward movement, and means whereby the connectionbetween said frame and powermeans is reestablished by said downwardgravitational movement of the frame.

WILLIAM STUEBING, JR.

